Water, agua, de l’eau, H20; call it what you will. This is one natural substance that we all need to drink more of every day. The benefits of simply adding a few glasses of water to your diet are amazing. Here are eight ways drinking more water will help your health:

1. Drinking water will improve the way your body metabolizes calories and will help you keep your appetite in check. This, in turn, helps you control your weight.
2. Water will boost your energy levels. One of the biggest reasons people feel tired during the day is simple dehydration. Add a few glasses of water to your daily intake and you will feel better throughout the day.
3. Water moisturizes the skin, keeping it younger and healthier looking. By drinking more water, you will enhance the skin’s regeneration and you will have that healthy youthful glow we all want. Though water intake is not going to get rid of lines and wrinkles, it is going to help prevent the formation of new ones.
4. Water can reduce the risk of developing certain cancers, such as bladder cancer, breast cancer and colon cancer.
5. Getting enough water into your diet can help reduce headaches and joint pain.
6. Drinking water improves the balance of body fluids. Our bodies are comprised of about 60 percent water. The fluids in our bodies control saliva creation, absorption, circulation, digestion and even body temperature. Keeping these fluids balanced improves your health.
7. Water improves your kidney function. The principal toxin in the body is blood urea nitrogen that passes through the kidneys and goes out in the urine. Keeping yourself well-hydrated will ensure that your body will eliminate this toxin and make you healthier. If you don’t drink enough water, you could develop kidney stones.
8. Water energizes muscles. Not drinking enough water can lead to muscle fatigue and weakness. This can interfere with your workout and your performance. Keeping the body hydrated ensures that you will develop and maintain muscle more readily.

Ways to help Incorporate More Water into your Diet

To increase your water intake, here are some helpful tips:

• Eat more fruits and vegetables. They contain high levels of water in them.
• Drink some water each time you eat a meal and each time you have a snack.
• Always have a bottle of water on hand when you are at your desk, in your car or at the gym.
• Choose flavored, non-calorie water. If you enjoy the taste of water more when it has a bit of lime or strawberry flavoring in it, this will help you add more water without disliking it.
• Try water with a bit of fizz in it. This will give you the same sensation you get when drinking soft drinks, but it will offer you a more nutritionally valuable source of fluid.

By following these tips, you will improve your body’s composition and the way you generate energy throughout the day. The next time you get thirsty, choose a bottle of water!